Top Essentials For The Evolving Homeschool

Here we go! Another homeschool year is underway. Exciting, right? ​

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And as with any homeschool, there are absolute must-haves for a learning space to be considered functional!

As for me, many of my homeschooling "essentials" have changed dramatically, just in the first couple of years alone. Crazy, right? Of course, my hand-made "curriculums" have rotated, but what about my teacher tools and accessories? Many I initially started with have become wholly unnecessary and sadly, a waste of money. It made me wonder why I ever decided that these "essentials" were even considered essential! But let's not talk about those right now. EEK!

So which homeschool essentials will last through years of learning?

It all comes down to how you envision yourself or how you are as a teacher.

Are you a homeschooler of one student, or ten? Do you teach in one room, or are you always on the move? Are your students visual or verbal learners? Do you embrace technology, or do you prefer to use more old school methods?

Many of you could probably flex in either direction for each question. That is why I've created this handy list of essentials that will flex with you as a teacher no matter what your style is!

#1 Visual Tools: The Whiteboard

At first, I never thought I'd ever need to have a whiteboard in my homeschool, but I quickly learned that I was wrong. My whiteboard is used daily for almost every subject that I teach. It's a fantastic tool to have for visual learners, and it's excellent if you're trying to save paper. 

One misconception that I hear often is that a whiteboard is super bulky and takes up a ton of space, making it more of a hindrance than helpful.

Let me tell you right now that it doesn't have to be! There are so many different whiteboard styles on the market today; all you need to do is find the one that fits best for your unique space! Another plus is that it's easy to clean compared to a blackboard and works better around people with allergies (less dust).
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Here are some great options for you to consider:
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Best Whiteboard for Large Spaces (fixed): Lockways Magnetic Dry Erase Board 36X24
Best Whiteboard for Large/Medium Spaces (moveable): WEYOUNG's Magnetic Tripod Easel 24X36
Best Whiteboard for Small Spaces (fixed or portable): WEYOUNG's Magnetic Dry Erase 24X18
Best Whiteboard for Student Usage On the Go: Abaco Office's Mini Magnetic Whiteboard 16X12

And don't forget about having a good quality set of dry-erase markers!

Thin Assorted Dry-Erase: Low Odor Magnetic Double-Ended Erase Markers w/ Erasers
Thin Dry-Erase Black Set: Low Odor Black Dry Erase
Thick Barrel Assorted Dry-Erase: Artellius Thick Barrel Design with Bullet Tip
Best Erasers: Washable Smudge Free Magnetic Erasers

#2 Writing Tools: Good Pencils & Sharpener

So many people underestimate the power of a pencil! I can't express to you enough what a pain it is to sharpen a plastic-coated Spiderman themed pencil in my sharpener. What a mess! Pencils are by no means created equal. Some splinter and chip, others break easily, and some are just plain impossible to sharpen! If you'd rather spend quality time actually teaching your students than battling the classroom pencil sharpener, than check these out:

BEST PENCILS: #2 Ticonderoga Graphite Pencils

Electric Sharpener (battery-powered): Tripworthy's No cord Sharpener for colored and #2 pencils
Electric Sharpener (electric powered): X-Acto School Corded Multi Size Pencil Sharpener
Manual Sharpener (mountable): X-Acto Mountable Manual Pencil Sharpener
Mini Personal Sharpener: STAEDTLER Mini Personal Pencil Sharpener

#3 Audio Tools: Mp3/CD/USB Player

Yes, it's not a typo, I did write CD in this header! As some of you probably realize, CDs are not yet a thing of the past. Many curriculum developers and libraries haven't updated their systems with newer technologies yet. So multi-versatile audio players are a must-have in any learning space. 

With a decent audio device, you can:

• Practice foreign languages
• Listen to audiobooks
• Play along with classics in a music lesson
• Create an ambiance
• Discuss cultural music from around the world
• Listen to fact-based lessons for any subject
• and more!

Here's a great Audio Player for you to check out (As a bonus, it's portable!):

Best Audio Player: SINGING WOOD's Portable CD/Bluetooth/USB/MP3/Radio/AUX

Best Audio Player

#4 Tech Tools: Computer & Printer

We live in an age of technology, so why not utilize as many resources as we can? Computers are a fantastic way to get your hands on digital resources, digital books, online curriculums, educational games, and so much more. Every teacher could benefit from having a personal laptop at their fingertips. The plus side is that you can take it almost anywhere!

Here is a great, yet affordable laptop you can check out:

Best Affordable Laptop: Acer Aspire 5 w/ Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019

Best Affordable Laptop

And with every computer, you could use a printer! Check out these two great options; An all-in-one that will work great in your schoolroom or a mobile printer that is perfect for traveling with you on the road!

All-In-One Printer: HP Officejet 3830
On-The-Go Mobile Printer: Epson Workforce WF-100 Wireless Mobile Printer

#5 Storage Solutions

Once you have your learning space filled with supplies, you need a place to store them! From your pencils to your papers, you don't want your room to be in disorder. A place of chaos becomes a distraction for you as a teacher, and for your students. So let's get organized!

Here are some of my all-time favorite storage solutions for your room:

Rolling Cart 1: 3-Tier Metal Storage Rolling Cart w/ Utility Handle and Extra Storage Accessories
Rolling Cart 2: 4-Tier Metal Rolling Utility Cart
Storage Cart 1: 6 Drawer Rolling Storage Cart
Storage Cart 2: 15 Drawer Organizing Cart
Storage Caddy: Clear School Supplies Desk Organizer
File Crates: Black Stackable File Crates
Hanging File Folders: 25 Pack Assorted Color Hanging Folders

Here are some of my favorites for storage solutions on the road:

File Folder Pocket Accordion: 24 Pocket Expanding File Folder
Travel Rolling Storage Case 1: Teacher/Student Black Rolling Organizer 
Travel Rolling Storage Case 2: Teacher/Student Gray & White Rolling Organizer
Carrying Storage Bag: Teacher/Student Carrying Storage Tote

Overall, these essentials will keep any learning space afloat. Let me know how they work for you. And let me know what essentials you would add to this list!

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